Representatives from the shipping ministry and Saif Powertech, the Bangladesh agent of AD Ports Group, were also present at the signing ceremony.
As per the MoU, AD Ports Group will finance the construction of the multipurpose terminal and procure necessary machinery for the Bay Terminal Project.
Once completed, the terminal is expected to have an annual capacity of handling 1 million TEU containers and seven million metric tonnes of cargo.
This investment is anticipated to enhance import-export efficiency by reducing transportation costs and time, a sentiment echoed by state minister for Shipping, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.
He highlighted Chittagong Port’s transformation into an international port in the last 15 years and the imminent operation of Patenga Container Terminal through an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Gateway Terminal.
Chowdhury emphasised the transformative impact of the bay terminal, envisioning continuous ship operations irrespective of tide conditions, with improved road and rail connectivity even as he expressed the government’s commitment to facilitating investment in port infrastructure, underscoring the significance of the bay terminal for maritime transport in Bangladesh.
Furthermore, upgrades at Mongla Port are underway to match Chittagong Port’s capacity as well, as per reports while the ongoing development at Payra Port and the upcoming deep-sea port at Matarbari aim to reduce dependency on external ports, positioning Matarbari as a regional hub.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)